Disaster? No problem for sibling team

Most people don't like to be awakened from a sound sleep, but Kimberly and A.J. Cossuto are eagerly awaiting that very moment.

The brother and sister team are in the process of completing their training for the American Red Cross disaster relief team. Once they are full fledged volunteers they could be called at any time of the day or night to help out in an emergency -- and they're ready.

"When I get that call, I'm out for as long as they need me to be out," A.J. Cossuto said.

Locally and nationally, the American Red Cross responds to disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires and other emergency situations. At the scene of these events, the Red Cross provides shelter assistance, food, health and mental health services to the victims of these disasters. The services are distributed primarily by volunteers as well as Red Cross employees.

"I had no clue the Red Cross was responsible for doing so much," A.J. Cossuto said. "People hear about the Red Cross, and they think that all they do is hold blood drives, but that isn't true."

Throughout the year, the Mid-Fairfield County Chapter provides training to community agencies and families in order to train their members to respond to large disasters. The duties of a volunteer vary and can be based on a special skill that volunteer already has, such as mental health training.

Kimberly Cossuto, a nurse at Bridgeport Hospital, will likely use her medical training on-site.

"I can certainly use my nursing training, but I am also trained to open shelters and respond to other needs as well," she said. "You receive a lot of training so that you can help wherever you're needed at the time."

In addition to the generalized training, A.J. Cossuto is receiving training to drive the emergency response vehicle that will contain whatever supplies are needed at the scene of a particular disaster.

"I'd probably be working on the logistics end, like getting the truck where it needs to be, setting up tents, or whatever else needs to be done," he said.

The Cossutos could also be asked to be part of teams that respond to national emergencies, like Hurri-cane Katrina, if need be.

"If the volunteer options in another state that suffered a disaster were exhausted, then we might be called to go help," Kimberly Cossuto said.

Red Cross Disaster Action teams are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency assistance may include temporary housing, food, clothing, basic household furnishings, help with health care needs and referrals to other agencies.

During large disasters volunteers are needed to work in shelters and on mobile kitchens, conduct damage assessments, provide medical care and crisis intervention and more.

Even if the call for help never comes, or doesn't come for a long time, Kimberly said she is glad she has the training.

"It's just good to know how to handle an emergency situation and to know what the Red Cross is and what it stands for," she said. "I hope we do have the opportunity to help though. I want to do what I can to give back to my community. I want to take the knowledge I have and put it to good use, to help people when they need it the most."

For more information on being an American Red Cross volunteer, call 1-800-319-9935.